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Boney and Maddy gone to pot

Description

Abstract:
Napoleon Bonaparte (l.) and the American president, James Madison (r.), sit opposite each other on chamber pots. Scowling, Napoleon, who wears a military uniform, angrily clutches a sheet of paper inscribed "Wonders for an Time/ adieu march to Elba." Madison has his own bone to pick with Napoleon. The paper he holds is inscribed "March to the Tmahawks." He complains that Napoleon's bribes and false promises will soon bring him to pot, or, in other words, to exile.
Notes:
This image is a rare early instance wherein an American president is figured as a participant in continental politics. Although Madison, who was president from 1809-1817, was at odds with both Britain and France, he declared war against Britian in 1812. While the war was devastating for America (the British burned the Whitehouse in 1812), it was unpopular in Britain, where it was both a drain on the already exhausted population and on the treasury.
Dialogue: Napoleon: "You see its all dicky with m[...] [illegible]/ [illegible] They have sent me to pot."
Dialogue: Madison: "And soon I fear it will be all dicky with you & they will/ send me to pot too, see what a fine kettle of fish you/have made of it, this comes of my believing you/ and takeing [sic] your bribes."
Inscription: Pub June 23 1814 by S W Fores 50 Picadilly [sic]

Access Conditions

Rights
No Copyright - United States
Restrictions on Use
Collection is open for research.

Citation

"Boney and Maddy gone to pot" (1814). Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection, Napoleonic Satires from the Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:232054/

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